Problem with computer network delays Horizon flights

Horizon Air flights in and out of Medford have been delayed since Alaska Air Group's Internet provider Sprint suffered a fiber network cut in the Midwest.

Comment

DailyTidings.com

Writer

Posted Oct. 8, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Updated Oct 8, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Posted Oct. 8, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Updated Oct 8, 2012 at 11:53 AM

» Social News

Horizon Air flights in and out of Medford have been delayed since Alaska Air Group's Internet provider Sprint suffered a fiber network cut in the Midwest.

Alaska Airlines posted a Facebook message apologizing to its customers.

"We are working as quickly as we can to have network access restored for our computer systems," the company said in a statement. "Sprint provides us with connectivity to Sabre, the system used for reservations, check-in and to purchase tickets. The outage is preventing customers from checking in and is causing delays system-wide."

The company implemented a manual process to check-in customers, but said the process was slow and flights would depart late.

The Associated Press reported that the system to check in passengers stopped working at 7:40 a.m. today, causing long lines of frustrated passengers who were unable to board flights that were delayed at Sea-Tac Airport.

Medford Airport Director Bern Case said early-morning flights here apparently came and went without difficulty, but passengers arriving for later flights encountered the delays.

"It's only affected a few flights here so far," Case said.

On its website, Alaska said if passengers missed flights they'd try to get them on the next available one and would also try to book people on other airlines if necessary.

Technicians are working to fix the problem, but the company could not say how long it would last. Alaska Airlines President and CEO Brad Tilden said there might be a partial solution by noon Pacific time and a full resolution by 5 p.m.